Three people were shot and killed in unprovoked shooting that unfolded Tuesday morning in Fresno, California. Authorties state that the sooting was fueled by hatred. 

Police quickly arrested a suspect who they said had previously expressed hatred and violence  towards the government, and certain classes of people. Soon after the suspect was brought into police custody he yelled, “Allahu akbar,” according to the Fresno police chief, Jerry Dyer.

Dyer told press that the police believed the shootings were motivated by hate, not terrorism. Police stated that the suspected attacker made a direct statement that led police to believe that it was a hate crime, but wouldn’t elaborate on what the suspect had actually stated.

“We do not believe based on the information we have today that this is a terrorist-related crime,” Dyer said during a news briefing Tuesday night. “Based on the information that we have been provided and our investigation has shown, is that this is solely based on race. It has nothing to do with terrorism, in spite of the statements he made.”

The suspect was identified as 39-year-old Kori Ali Muhammad, who has had a lengthy criminal history, and went out on Tuesday night with the intent to kill people. Dyer said police examined Muhammad’s Facebook account and had found posts where he vocalized his dislike towards white people, as well as anti government sentiments.

After he was brought into custody, he told police, “I did it. I shot them,” according to Dyer.

Muhammad’s father, Vincent Taylor, told the Los Angeles Times that Muhammad believed he was part of a war between white and black people, and that a battle was going to take place.

Muhammad is currently booked into Fresno County jail on charges of murder and attempted murder; he is being held without bail, according to jail records. Muhammad is suspected to be the only shooter.

“It’s really scary to hear about these events” junior Aubrey Lonergan said. “Knowing that this guy went out on his own and killed three random people is really frightening because you never know who could be wanting to act as he did.”

Muhammad had previously shot a security guard at a motel in the city last week, but hadn’t made any statements at that time. The police chief stated Tuesday that investigators were focused on at the moment trying to determine why he did what he did.